New York Mets' David Wright Should Win Gold Glove Despite Injury

By Bryan Zarpentine

Brad Mills – USATODAY Sports

The fact that David Wrightmade it back on the field before the end of the season was important for the New York Mets heading into the offseason. It was even better to see him hit a home run over Cole Hamels in his first at bat back from the disabled list, and then hit another home run the following night.

However, the six weeks Wright spent on the disabled list not only hurt the Mets on the field and in the standings, but also hurt his chances of winning the National League Gold Glove Award at third base, which is an award Wright deserves, despite the injury.

With all due respect to Chase Headley of the San Diego Padres, Wright deserved to win the Gold Glove last year. How anyone could watch Wright play on a regular basis and not deduce that he’s the top defensive third baseman in the league is beyond unbelievable. He’s incredibly quick at the hot corner and almost never gives up an infield hit because of a lack of arm strength. Watching Wright, it’s obvious that he’s an elite defensive player who is better at charging and bear handing the ball than anybody else in the game, and his ability to make that play makes him stand out above all other third basemen.

Unfortunately, the Gold Glove is an award based more on politics and statistics than play in the field, which is part of the reason why Wright was unfairly denied the Gold Glove in 2012. With his injury keeping him off the field for more than six weeks, Wright will likely be unable to win the award again this season, meaning it will be a full five seasons since Wright last won the award, which speaks to what a joke the Gold Glove Award has become.

If there’s any semblance of justice or karma in the baseball world, Wright should win the Gold Glove for 2013, even after missing more than six weeks late in the season with an injury. A few weeks of missed games shouldn’t take away from the fact that Wright is the best defensive third baseman in the National League and that he deserves the award, especially after being robbed of it last year.